Predictors of Children’s Active Commuting to School: An Observational Evaluation in 5 U.S. Communities

Jason A. Mendoza · Yan Liu

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Urban Transport and Accessibility Physical Activity and Health Injury Epidemiology and Prevention

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Few reports examined long term predictors of children's active commuting to school (walking or cycling to school, ACS). PURPOSE: To identify predictors of ACS over 1 school year among a sample of children with relatively high rates of ACS. METHODS: Parents were surveyed in September 2010 (Time 1) and April 2011 (Time 2). The dependent variable was children's commuting mode to school (active versus passive). Independent variables included: 1) parents' outcome expectations (from Social Cognitive Theory: the expected risks/benefits for their child doing ACS), 2) distance to school, 3) participation in an adult-led walk to school group, 4) temperature, and 5) child demographics. Generalized mixed-models estimated odds ratios for ACS (n = 369 or 49.7% of Time 1 respondents). RESULTS: Males (OR = 2.59, 95% CI [1.57-4.30]), adult-led walk to school group participation (OR = 1.80, 95% CI [1.14-2.86]), parents' outcome expectations (OR = 1.26, 95% CI [1.14-1.39]), temperature (OR = 1.03, 95% CI [1.01-1.07), distance to school (OR = 0.23, 95% CI [0.14-0.37]), and Latino ethnicity (OR = 0.28, 95% CI [0.12-0.65]) were associated with ACS. CONCLUSIONS: Programs and policies sensitive to parents' concerns (eg, adult-led walk to school groups) and targeting Latinos and girls appear promising for increasing ACS.

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2008Active school transport, physical activity levels and body weight of children and youth: A systematic review 2008Children's active commuting to school: current knowledge and future directions.2008The Influence of the Physical Environment and Sociodemographic Characteristics on Children's Mode of Travel to and From School 2011The relationship between active travel to school and health-related fitness in children and adolescents: a systematic review 2002Barriers to Children Walking and Biking to School—United States, 1999 2008Systematic Review of Active Commuting to School and Children’s Physical Activity and Weight 2006Active Transportation to School Over 2 Years in Relation to Weight Status and Physical Activity 2005Barriers to Children Walking to or From School—United States, 2004

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2018Longitudinal associations between weather, season, and mode of commuting to school among Spanish youths 2024Children’s active school transportation: an international scoping review of psychosocial factors 2025Distance and perception of safety of the built environment are predominant factors influencing walking and bicycling to school: A systematic review 2021Impacts of Small Changes in Thoroughfare Connectivity on the Potential for Student Walking

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